Windigo Execute a Weekend Sweep of the Chippewa Steel:
The Wisconsin Windigo’s home stand continued as they hosted the Chippewa Steel for two games on November 25 and 26, at the iconic Dome in Eagle River, WI. The Windigo brought a record of 10 wins, 12 losses, and 1 overtime loss into the weekend. Chippewa entered the weekend with a record of 13 wins, 8 losses, and 2 overtime losses. Windigo goal tender Gavin Moffatt, Plymouth, MI, stopped all 77 shots he faced over the weekend, earning him the NAHL’s Bauer Midwest Star of the Week award for the second consecutive week. The 6’0/170 lbs. native of Darien, CT, was on fire again this past weekend as he posted shutouts in both of his starts, helping the Windigo sweep the Chippewa Steel. Moffatt now has a shutout streak of over 238 minutes. On Friday, Moffatt made 34 saves in a 2-0 win. On Saturday, he made a season-high 43 saves in a 4-0 win, which was his third straight shutout. In eight games played this season, Moffatt has a 5-3-0 record with a 1.73 goals against average and a .948 save percentage. “Gavin had another great weekend. He’s coming into his own at this level and it’s been fun to watch. Earning back-to-back player of the week awards is hard to do in this league and I’m proud of him for accomplishing that,” said Windigo head coach Blake Hietala.
Friday, November 25: Chippewa Steel 0 at Wisconsin Windigo 2 The Wisconsin Windigo’s Chris Kernan opened the scoring at the 5:18 mark of the first period on a shot from deep in the left face-off circle. Drew Fisher and Sam Groebner were credited with the assists. Wisconsin continued to apply pressure throughout the first period, outshooting Chippewa 14 to 8. Connor Mahony scored his 6h goal of the year (from Daniil Dolzhenko and Cole Mickel) just over 3 minutes into the second period. Mahony’s shot from the top of the face-off circle seemed to handcuff the Chippewa netminder as it sailed over his shoulder into the top of the net. Chippewa carried the advantage in shots during the second period, 15 to 10, but goalie Gavin Moffatt corralled the shots he faced. Total shots on net for the game were even at 34. Moffatt picked up his second shutout of the season. “I liked our total team effort tonight. Given injuries and a suspension, we fielded a depleted roster, but the guys answered the bell. It was great to see Mahony and Kernan score, both have been working hard playing 200-foot games. Moffatt picked up where he left off last weekend and was stellar in net,” commented Windigo head coach Blake Hietala.
Saturday, November 26: Chippewa Steel 0 at Wisconsin Windigo 4 The Windigo continued their hot hand Saturday night as they shutout Chippewa 4-0 to bring their winning streak to four games. Windigo goalie Gavin Moffat earned his third consecutive shutout, demonstrating why he has been recognized as the NAHL’s Bauer Midwest Division Star of the Week for the past two weeks. Wisconsin’s offense came out hot in the first period as Paul Huglen, Victor Widlund , and Drew Fisher all tickled twine. Huglen’s fourth goal of the season came when he crashed the net just in time to bury a nifty feed from Windigo newcomer Jacob Jastrzebski. Widlund’s sixth goal of the year came on the power play off a precision pass from Luke Levandowski. Widlund executed patience on the play as he allowed the screen to become established before he wristed the shot to the far side of the net. Will Schumacher was credited with the second assist. Fisher’s goal was the result of him breaking up a pass in the neutral zone to gain possession of the puck. He worked a nifty give and go with Chris Kernan before one-timing the puck past the Steel goalie. Wisconsin’s final goal came 1:52 into the third period with Luke Levandowski burying his 10th of the season. Schumacher and Widlund were credited with the assists. Gavin Moffatt continued his dominance in the crease, stopping all 43 shots he faced. “Once again, it was a team effort tonight. Our forecheck created scoring chances and we converted. The guys are starting to learn that hard work pays dividends. We had six different goal scorers this weekend, indicative of the kind of depth we have on this team,” offered coach Hietala after Saturday’s win. “Moffat was superb in net again tonight. He made key saves, and our team defense forced them to take many shots from the perimeter,” continued Hietala.